Choosing the right memory care community for your loved one is a big responsibility since you want to find the best care. Because of this, one of the main things you should focus on is evaluating the staff since they will provide direct care. Although there are certain standards for memory care communities in New Jersey, not every community is going to provide the same level of staff or care. In this article, we will cover some key factors to look for when it comes to staff in memory care in Middletown, NJ.
Memory Care Training
One of the most important aspects of a memory care community in Middletown, NJ, is how trained the staff are. Caring for seniors who have Alzheimer's or dementia comes with certain difficulties and best practices caregivers need to understand. The staff should be highly knowledgeable in these areas and have undergone specific memory care training that equips them with the necessary skills.
It is especially beneficial if the staff have gone through the same type of training in the memory care community. This ensures that the staff will work seamlessly together and provide the same standard of care.
Most memory care communities in Middletown, NJ, will provide easy-to-access resources on the training their staff has undergone. However, if you can't find this information, you will want to ask about it when you schedule a tour.
Commitment to Safety
Part of the training memory care staff should undergo involves how to keep the residents safe. Memory care communities need to have a higher standard of safety to prevent the risk of residents leaving the facility or tripping and falling. Memory care staff should also be educated in de-escalating situations to keep the residents safe and calm.
Level of Supervision
Some memory care patients will require more supervision than others, depending on the progression of their Alzheimer's or dementia. Because of this, you want to do a little investigation to make sure the memory care staff can provide the supervision your loved one needs. Not every memory care community in Middletown is going to have the level of supervision your loved one requires. Or they may not have enough staff to provide what your loved one needs later on if their disease progresses further.
Educated In Therapies
New technology and therapies are constantly evolving when it comes to caring for those with memory-related diseases. Staff at a memory care community should be up-to-date with these therapies so that they can provide the best standard of care.
Available Medical Professionals
The caregivers are the backbone of any memory care community as they provide the direct line of care. However, you also want to make sure the memory care community has other medical professionals on hand. Caregivers are not usually qualified medical professionals, so you want to make sure nurses and doctors are available for medical supervision. There should be a nurse available when it comes to overseeing medication management, addressing health concerns, and being available in emergencies.
Low Turnover Rate
Something you may not think to look into when evaluating memory care communities in Middletown, NJ, is the turnover rate. A high turnover rate could indicate that there are issues with how the community is run. These kinds of problems could impact you and your loved one if the staff is constantly changing or the community doesn't have enough staff. Residents will also get a better quality of care when they are being taken care of by a consistent team. This ensures that the staff have gone through training, work well together, and can form a relationship with each resident.
Correct Staffing Ratio
New Jersey memory care communities have to have staff available both day and night. However, some communities may not uphold the same standards depending on how much staff they have available. Even though the residents will be sleeping at night, the community needs to have plenty of staff on hand for the night shift. Having an adequate caregiver-to-resident ratio ensures there are plenty of people on hand to provide assistance and care in case any residents are up throughout the night.
Focus on Communication
Alzheimer’s and dementia are diseases that generally progress for most seniors. Because of this, each resident is going to have very different needs from the staff in the community. It's crucial that the staff have a strong focus on professional communication, whether that be with the residents themselves or the family. Caregivers need to be able to communicate with you regarding your loved one's care or any changes to their physical or mental health. The communication should be transparent and swift so that any issues or concerns are addressed as soon as possible. Communication is also a crucial component of caring for residents with memory-related diseases. Communication helps provide mental stimulation and allows residents to feel heard by the caregivers.
Individualized Approach
There is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to dementia or Alzheimer's residents. Each resident is going to require a different level of care, whether that be for their physical or cognitive health. You will want to choose a memory care community that understands this and has trained its staff accordingly. The caregivers should treat each resident as an individual and get to know their specific needs to provide the highest level of care. Each care plan should also be individualized.
Transitioning your loved one into a memory care community in Middletown, NJ, is a big step, and you want to be confident in your decision. If you are in the process of making this decision, you may want to check out the Dementia Care Checklist we provide at Arbor Terrace Middletown.
